The event kicked off at 6:00 p.m. as the couples were coached by the culinary expertise of Cooks & Company. Each couple prepared various finger foods for the guests of REDBAMBOO Medi-Spa until 8:30 p.m. Immediately following the cook-off was a meet and greet with Chris, Stylez, and Brett. JP Peterson emceed the proceedings.

Proceeds from the event benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Residents Invited to Test Their Problem Solving Skills While Helping a Good Cause

TAMPA (February 12, 2009) – It’s part scavenger hunt, part wandering party, and a whole lot of fun. The Great Urban Race will be taking Tampa by storm on February 21, 2009, as participants navigate around the city solving clues and complete various challenges. The 2009 event is partnered with America’s Second Harvest, which helps Tampa Bay's less fortunate who suffer from hunger.

Teams of two will solve 12 clues and complete physical and mental challenges by walking, running or using public transportation. Participants may find themselves scavenging for random items, deciphering puzzles, or completing a physical challenge or game. The first twenty five teams to complete the race will have the opportunity to compete in the National Championship race for a chance at $10,000.

"The Great Urban Race is the perfect opportunity to discover Tampa in a new way,” said Joe Reynolds, Race Director. “For those looking for an extraordinary Saturday afternoon, the Great Urban Race will satisfy your desire for a new adventure.”

Since The Great Urban Race kicked off its first event in the summer of 2007, the response has been overwhelming. Many racers are now competing in various cities across the country while others have become avid local supporters. Raul Rumbaut and Heidi Steinhauer, who finished 16th in the 2008 Tampa race, said they “are counting down the days until the 2009 competition. We really a had a great time, hands down it was the best race we have ever competed in.”

Nashville, TN (February 9, 2009) – RCA Nashville hit recording artist Chuck Wicks is among the celebrity competitors poised to take to the dance floor for the eighth season of the enduringly popular ABC series, Dancing with the Stars. The new cast was revealed this evening as series host Tom Bergeron presented the “All Night Name Drop,” announcing this season’s competitors throughout ABC’s Sunday night prime-time programming.

ABC also announced in a press release this evening that Chuck’s dance partner in the competition will be his girlfriend and fellow country recording artist, two-time Dancing with the Stars champion, Julianne Hough.

William Joseph performing alongside violinist and singer Linda Eder live at the Ruth Eckerd Hall - Photo by Ian Phoenix

“Classical pop” pianist William Joseph kicked off his first U.S. headlining tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Friday, January 9th with a passionate and dynamic performance. Underneath sultry lights of green and purple, Mr. Joseph delivered a youthful and fresh twist on classical music, creating a hip and energetic style with his compositions.

He began delicate and careful, leaning into his piano, caressing each note softly as he played “Heroes”. He then picked up in intensity, creating a dynamic and engaging performance. After his first piece, one audience member let out a very genuine and very appropriate “Wow!”

Clearwater, FL (January 2009) "SMOKIN OUT” BBQ Grill & Bar, 401 S. Ft. Harrison (former Harrison’s location), had their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce on the 23rd of January and continued their grand opening celebration through Saturday with live entertainment.

Clearwater, FL (February 2009) - Did you know that a local Clearwater company has prevented over a quarter of a million non-destructible, non-degradable laser toner cartridges from being thrown into landfills?

Malvern Group Cartridge Services has been providing Tampa Bay businesses with name brand and remanufactured toner cartridges for over a decade. They collect your empties and send them off to be remanufactured by an ISO 9001 certified and STMC Independent lab (that tests for yields, print quality and reliability) certified manufacturer.

When they collect your empties, they bring a high quality cartridge to replace it. They not only make it easy to be green, they save you up to 50% over the name brand cartridge. Malvern says it cannot be a mistake to save meaningful dollars if you don’t sacrifice yield, dependability and quality. Malvern’s warranty is provided in writing. “We stand behind our products 100% say, Mike & Lynn Farrell”, owners of Malvern.

Malvern is also an Authorized Samsung Copier and Kobra Shredder dealer here in Tampa Bay. They also offer copier, fax, and laser printer repair. Don’t be so quick to toss a well-built laser printer into a landfill. Often times a simple repair is all it needs.

Photo by Ian Phoenix

Clearwater, FL (January 2009) - It was a chilly Sunday morning, just as dawn was starting to break and the runners were out bright and early in their hopes of being the first to complete the fourth annual Clearwater Half-a-Thon and third annual Five Mile Races, but the un-Floridian like temperature didn’t stop a flock of racers from warming up in preparation to cross the Clearwater Memorial Bridge.

Just as the sun poked its sleepy head over the bay, the runners lined up at the starting line at Coachman Park, stretching, jogging lightly in the parking lot or doing the “cold weather dance” as they waited in anticipation for the race to start.

“It’s going to be a good run across the bridge,” said Mike Newton, a participant. For him, the race is an enjoyable way to get his exercise. “This is fun. It’s a good way to start the New Year off.”

A local musician adds life to the atmosphere of Farmer’s Market - Photo by Ian Phoenix

Farmer’s Market Moves

Clearwater, FL (February 2009) - The Downtown Clearwater Farmer’s Market has moved to Cleveland Street, between Ft. Harrison and Garden Avenue. Instead of being squeezed in a corner of the City Hall parking lot, its former home, the Farmer’s Market now has a block of its own every Wednesday from 10:00am until 2:00pm.

The new location of the market will bring more traffic to Cleveland Street and the downtown area, and in addition to supporting the local businesses that sell their goods each week, it will improve the commerce along this section of Cleveland Street. Tourists and locals will be able to walk through the middle of the street while they enjoy live music and sample fresh honey from Eden’s Nectar Honey or smoked fish spread from Island Fish.

“Bob and Daughter Produce” had a long line of customers reaching all the way to the other side of the street on the first day at their new location. “This is the first day back and it’s been absolutely awesome,” says the owner. And are you receiving more business? “Yes, definitely. People walking by see it where they didn’t see it before.”

A huge turnout of excited onlookers at the expo - Photo by Simaen Skolfield

A biker performs a near-vertical wheelie - Photo by Simaen Skolfield

Clearwater, FL (January 31, 2009) - There was a huge turnout for the Full Throttle Magazine Motorcycle Expo and Bike Builders Invitational, hosted at the Harborview Center in Downtown Clearwater. The Expo featured hot bikes, activities, contests, special events, exhibitor booths and the annual Florida Bike Builder Invitational, which showcased Florida’s hottest newcomers, established builders and the best Garage Builders.

The event was presented by Full Throttle Magazine and sponsored by GEICO Motorcycle Insurance.

Clearwater, FL (February 3, 2009) - Magnesium influences many bodily processes, including digestion, energy production, muscle function, bone formation, creation of new cells, activation of B vitamins and relaxation of muscles, as well as assisting in the functions of the heart, kidneys, adrenals, brain and nervous system. The lack of sufficient available magnesium in the body can interfere with any or all of these processes.

The National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, reports that there is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

A Healthy Magnesium Level

Diets of the industrialized world, with their processed foods and use of refined sugar and flour, are commonly quite low in magnesium. The result? A significant percentage of the population have below healthy magnesium levels, including many who already use magnesium. Why? First, the amount of magnesium required by the body is greater than people think. Second, most magnesium capsules and tablets are not completely absorbed by the body.